Joe McElderry has said that he would be disappointed to lose the battle for this year's Christmas number one.

The X Factor singer's 'The Climb' is now the bookies' favourite to top the chart this weekend, despite currently trailing Rage Against The Machine's Facebook campaign-backed 'Killing In The Name' in sales.

McElderry told The Mirror: "I've not heard the song but every year there is a battle for number one and this year is no exception.

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"I would be disappointed not to be number one, though."

The X Factor winner's single has claimed the Christmas number one every year since 2005, with the run of Shane Ward's 'That's My Goal', Leona Lewis's 'A Moment Like This', Leon Jackson's 'When You Believe' and Alexandra Burke's 'Hallelujah'.